AARO CPM

Overview

AARO CPM is a financial consolidation and reporting platform with planning and analysis capabilities for multi-entity groups. It is best suited to finance teams that need group accounting and operational follow-up in a shared process. Its breadth is compelling, but custom pricing and a demo-led purchase make it a poor fit for buyers seeking a quick, self-serve decision.

Key features

AARO combines consolidated financial statements and group accounting with data analytics, operational management analysis, simulations, recalculations, budgeting and forecasting. That scope can bring legal reporting and internal performance follow-up together, rather than treating them as separate finance workflows. Intercompany eliminations, multi-currency consolidation and an audit trail address core requirements for complex group reporting.

The AARO Base Package is preconfigured with an EU BAS chart of accounts based on IFRS, an acquisition register, cash flow, financial statements and notes, acquisition elimination, Excel add-ons and a dashboard. It offers a defined starting point that organizations can deploy immediately or customize. The maker says AARO can support groups from three to a thousand companies, a broad stated range for organizations at very different scales.

AARO says users can analyze data and generate consolidated statements during financial close, with around-the-clock operation. AARO Integrator imports from multiple ERP systems, including VISMA, Navision, Hogia, Agresso, NetSuite, SAP and Microsoft Dynamics. Scheduled automatic imports can reduce recurring manual work; semi-automatic input remains an option, and teams can define mapping and conversion rules, including account summarization and sign reversal.

AARO Connector extends access to AARO figures in budgeting and forecasting solutions, BI tools, Excel and other Office tools. This is useful for teams that want to use consolidated data beyond AARO, though Connector is an add-on. AARO SaaS is managed by the maker, which says it provides infrastructure management, storage, backups, security updates, antivirus and monitoring, with infrastructure across three physical locations. On-premise deployment is also an option.

AARO states that its information security management system is ISO 27001 certified and covers areas including access control, continuity and incident management. Security & Audit tracks user events, modifications, administrative changes and input data. Basic, Standard and Premium support SLAs are offered; Basic is included with AARO and AARO SaaS, while Premium includes 24/7 support. The service center and Academy training add a route for help with accounts, reports, logic calculations and customized reports.

Pricing

AARO is paid software with custom pricing. The AARO Base Package has no published price; prospective customers are invited to book a demo or contact the company. The package can be deployed immediately or customized, but no seat limits, usage quotas, trial length or renewal terms are stated. That makes it difficult to compare total cost before engaging with the vendor, particularly for organizations evaluating several consolidation systems.

Platforms

AARO is available on the web, Windows and macOS, with both cloud service and self-hosted deployment options. The managed SaaS option includes infrastructure operations, while on-premise deployment gives organizations another hosting route. The choice will depend on deployment requirements; the platform does not publish details that would clarify differences between the options.

Who it's for

AARO is a strong candidate for multi-entity finance teams that need consolidation, reporting and planning in one system, especially where ERP data arrives from several systems or must feed other finance and BI tools. Its stated support for groups of three to a thousand companies makes it relevant across a wide range of group sizes. Teams with simple reporting needs, a preference for transparent prices or no appetite for a demo-led buying process should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Consolidation, internal analysis, budgeting and forecasting sit within a broad CPM workflow, which can reduce separation between group reporting and operational follow-up.
• Pro: ERP imports support scheduled automation and configurable mapping, giving teams a practical way to handle recurring data from multiple source systems.
• Pro: The preconfigured Base Package includes core reporting components and Excel add-ons, providing a concrete foundation that can also be customized.
• Pro: Managed SaaS operations and an ISO 27001-certified security management system offer defined infrastructure and security provisions.
• Con: Custom pricing requires a demo or vendor contact, making early budget comparisons harder.
• Con: AARO Connector is an add-on, so using AARO data in other systems may require an additional purchase.

Alternatives

For a wider shortlist, browse Financial Consolidation Software.

• IDL Konsis is another paid web and Windows option with pricing available by request and a demo offered.
• NDC Financial Consolidation is worth considering if you want a standalone product or SAP Analytics Cloud extension, with cloud or on-premise installation.
• Profitbase Consolidation is a paid web option with tailored configurations and prices by request.
• CCH Tagetik is another paid alternative.
• Lucanet may suit buyers looking for a web-based package spanning consolidation and financial planning alongside areas such as ESG reporting, disclosure management, lease accounting, and banking and cash management.
• Planful offers subscription pricing tailored to company size, user count and selected modules, which may suit buyers who want pricing shaped around those factors.
• Vena is another paid web and Windows alternative.
• Board is a paid alternative with customized quotes across its Finance, Supply chain and Retail plans.

Verdict

Choose AARO CPM if your multi-entity finance team needs consolidation, reporting and planning tied to varied ERP inputs, with managed cloud or self-hosted deployment. Its strongest case is the combination of group accounting, configurable imports and wider planning workflows. Look elsewhere if published pricing is essential to your shortlist or if your needs do not justify a broad CPM system.